JP2008299378A - Remote maintenance method and system for mobile body mounting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To flexibly update a program for each train by remote maintenance by updating the programs of processors 13-15 arranged in the respective trains 7-9 by remote maintenance without neither uselessly increasing a load on a communication network 2 nor depending on the travel schedules of the respective trains 7-9. <P>SOLUTION: Update version programs for the processors are registered in a remote maintenance device 1, and distributed to a distribution program save area 22 when the processors 13-15 of the respective trains 7-9 are in communicable states. The programs are copied in an update version program save area 20. Then, the programs are updated by changing-over an operation program save area 18 and the update version program save area 20 and performing restarting. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote maintenance method and system for updating a program installed in a processing device installed in a moving body such as a plurality of trains from a remote maintenance device arranged on the ground via a wireless network. .

  Updates to programs installed in processing units installed on multiple trains that have irregular power-on and shut-off times and are not guaranteed to have stable communication lines can be made wirelessly from remote maintenance devices on the ground. Over the network.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a remote repair system that can be used in such a system. In this example, the update program is distributed remotely from a distribution device to a designated area among two or more storage areas provided in a plurality of processing apparatuses connected to a network. After that, the update program is started using a function for designating in which storage area the program is to be started. In addition, when the same updated program is distributed to a plurality of processing devices, a broadcast distribution mechanism is employed.

JP 2002-251286 A

  In Patent Document 1, as described above, broadcast distribution is performed when an updated program is distributed to a plurality of processing devices to be updated. However, when processing devices mounted on a plurality of trains are to be maintained, the power-on and shut-off times differ from train to train, and the stability of the communication line is not guaranteed. Moreover, since it is possible that the version of the program which the processing apparatus currently operates differs for every train, broadcast distribution is unrealistic. Furthermore, broadcast distribution also distributes to unnecessary parties, unnecessarily increases the network load, and delays work.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a remote maintenance method or system that performs exchange of information using wireless communication as necessary, reduces the load on a communication line, and has high flexibility.

  The present invention comprises a processing device mounted on a train or the like having a program storage unit, and a remote maintenance device that is connected to the processing device through wireless communication means and transmits the updated version program to the processing device. Requesting the remote maintenance device to distribute the updated version program from the processing device, and receiving the updated version program distribution request at the remote maintenance device, the updated version program to the processing device that requested the distribution. The main feature is distribution.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is confirmed whether an updated version program of a program currently held in the processing device exists in the remote maintenance device, and the updated version program exists in the remote maintenance device. When the confirmation is made, the remote maintenance device is requested to distribute the updated program.

  Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a distribution program storage area for storing the updated program distributed from the remote maintenance apparatus and an operation program for storing an operation program currently in operation are installed in the processing apparatus. A storage area, and the storage program in the operation program storage area is rewritten to the updated program in the distribution program storage area.

  The present invention calls the remote maintenance device when necessary on the mobile side, performs data communication, exchanges information, and without increasing the wasteful load of the communication line, for example, individual version management as needed, A flexible remote maintenance method and system can be constructed.

  Other objects and features of the present invention will be clarified in the embodiments described below.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, the remote maintenance of the processing apparatus installed in the train of the train radio system will be described as an example, but the present invention can be similarly applied to a mobile body other than the train.

  FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram of a train radio system in a remote maintenance system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The remote maintenance device 1 is installed at the central command center 100. In addition, wireless devices 3 to 6 are installed in each base station 300 along the train line, and are connected to the remote maintenance device 1 via the communication network 2. Moreover, the radio | wireless apparatuses 10-12 are installed in the trains 7-9, and it communicates with the radio | wireless apparatuses 3-6 of each base station as a train moves. The processing devices 13 to 15 are installed in the train and can communicate with the remote maintenance device 1 via the wireless devices 10 to 12, the wireless devices 3 to 6, and the communication network 2.

  FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of the remote maintenance device 1 and the processing devices 13 and 14 in FIG. The remote maintenance device 1 has storage areas 16, 17,... For storing an updated version program corresponding to each processing device. In the processing device A (13) and the processing device B (14), in order to manage operation program storage areas 18, 19, update program storage areas 20, 21, distribution program storage areas 22, 23, and remote maintenance, respectively. Management software 24 and 25 exist.

  Next, a remote maintenance procedure for the system configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 3 is an overall process flow diagram of the remote maintenance method for the processing apparatus A (13) according to one embodiment of the present invention. When the software update of the processing device A (13) becomes necessary, first, in step 301, the operator registers the created updated version program in the storage area 16 for the processing device A (13) of the remote maintenance device 1. In this state, for example, at the start of the morning, the operator in the garage starts the processing device A (13) of the train 7 and starts the management software 24 mounted on the processing device A (13) in step 302. The

  In step 303, the management software 24 is activated to connect to the remote maintenance device 1 and request the remote maintenance device 1 to distribute the updated program. In step 304, since the updated version program exists in the storage area 16 for the processing apparatus A (13), the remote maintenance apparatus 1 distributes the updated version program to the distribution program storage area 22 of the processing apparatus A (13). .

  In step 305, the management software 24 that has confirmed that the distribution of the update program has been completed copies the update program distributed to the distribution program storage area 22 to the update program storage area 20. If the connection with the remote maintenance apparatus 1 is disconnected before the distribution of the updated program is completed, the contents of the distribution program storage area 22 are incomplete, but the operation program storage area 18 The contents of the updated version program storage area 20 are completely retained. At the next connection, the updated program is distributed again to the distribution program storage area 22.

  In step 306, the management software 24 sets the current operation program storage area 18 to be the updated version program storage area 20 and the current update version program storage area 20 to be the operation program storage area 18 at the next startup. Change the setting. Alternatively, the stored contents may be exchanged, but it is easier to change the settings between the two areas. Thus, the updated version program replaced with the operation program storage area 18 is used from the next activation.

  In step 307, for example, when the next day is started, the processing apparatus A (13) is restarted.

  In step 308, the updated version program in the new operation program storage area 18 is activated. Since the previous program is stored in the new update program storage area, it is possible to start the previous program by changing the settings of both areas again.

  By the above method, when each train can be connected to the remote maintenance device 1, the updated version program of the processing devices 13 to 15 installed in the train can be distributed. It becomes possible.

  FIG. 4 is a processing flow in which the remote maintenance processing for the processing device A (13) according to one embodiment of the present invention is divided into the remote maintenance device 1 side and the processing devices 13 to 15 side of the trains 7-9. FIG. This is basically the same as the overall processing flow of FIG. 3, but will be described below.

  When software update of the processing device A (13) becomes necessary, first, the operator on the remote maintenance device 1 side stores the created updated version program for the processing device A (13) of the remote maintenance device 1 in step 401. Register in area 16.

  In this state, for example, at the start of work in the morning, the processing device A (13) of the train 7 is turned on and started in step 402 by the operator in the garage, and the management software 24 installed in the processing device A (13) is installed. Is activated in step 403.

  When the management software 24 is activated, the remote maintenance device 1 is connected in step 404, and in step 405, the remote maintenance device 1 is checked for the presence of an updated version program. Request that delivery.

  In step 407, the remote maintenance device 1 that has received the distribution request distributes the updated version program to the distribution program storage area 22 of the processing device A (13).

  On the processing device A (13) side of the train 7, the management software 24 that has confirmed that the reception of the update program has been completed, the update program distributed to the distribution program storage area 22 in step 408 is replaced with the update program. Copy to the storage area 20. If the connection with the remote maintenance device 1 is disconnected before the reception of the updated program is completed, the contents of the distribution program storage area 22 are incomplete, but the operation program storage area 18 The contents of the updated version program storage area 20 are completely retained. Therefore, at the next connection, the distribution program storage area 22 can be requested to receive the updated program again and received.

  In step 409, the management software so that the current operation program storage area 18 becomes the updated version program storage area 20 and the current update version program storage area 20 becomes the operation program storage area 18 at the next startup or the like. 24 changes the setting. Alternatively, the stored contents may be exchanged, but the setting change between the two storage areas is easier.

  Thus, the updated version program replaced with the operation program storage area 18 is used from the next activation.

  At the end of the day, the power is turned off at step 410, and the processing apparatus A (13) is stopped.

  For example, at the start of the next day, in step 411, the processing apparatus A (13) is restarted by turning on the power.

  In step 412, the management software 24 is activated, and an updated program in the new operation program storage area 18 is activated. Since the previous program is stored in the new update program storage area 20, it is possible to start the previous program by switching the settings of both areas again.

  When the management software 24 is activated, the remote maintenance device 1 is connected in step 413. In step 414, the remote maintenance device 1 is checked for the presence of an updated version program. Request and receive delivery.

  If there is no update program, the process is terminated.

  By the above method, when each train can be connected to the remote maintenance device 1, the updated version program of the processing devices 13 to 15 installed in the train can be distributed. It becomes possible.

It is a network block diagram of the train radio system in the remote maintenance system by one Example of this invention. The detailed block diagram of the remote maintenance apparatus 1 and the processing apparatuses 13 and 14 in FIG. It is a whole processing flowchart of the remote maintenance method for processing apparatus A (13) by one Example of this invention. It is a processing flowchart which divided | segmented the remote maintenance process for the processing apparatus by one Example of this invention into the remote maintenance apparatus side and the train processing apparatus side.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Central command station, 1 ... Remote maintenance apparatus, 2 ... Communication network, 300 ... Each base station, 3-6 ... Radio | wireless apparatus, 7-9 ... Each train, 10-12 ... Each train mounted radio | wireless apparatus, 13-15 ... each train-mounted processing device A to C, 16 ... storage region for processing device A, 17 ... storage region for processing device B, 18, 19 ... operation program storage region, 20, 21 ... updated program storage region, 22, 23 ... distribution program storage area, 24, 25 ... management software.

Claims (10)

  A remote maintenance method for a mobile unit mounting apparatus comprising a processing unit mounted on a mobile unit and having a program storage unit, and a remote maintenance unit connected to the processing unit through wireless communication means and transmitting the updated version program to the processing unit Requesting the remote maintenance device to distribute the updated version program from the processing device, and when the remote maintenance device receives the distribution request for the updated version program, A remote maintenance method for a mobile unit mounting apparatus, comprising: a step of distributing the updated program.   A remote maintenance method for a mobile unit mounting apparatus comprising a processing unit mounted on a mobile unit and having a program storage unit, and a remote maintenance unit connected to the processing unit through wireless communication means and transmitting the updated version program to the processing unit In the step of confirming whether an updated version program of the program currently held in the processing device exists in the remote maintenance device, and confirming that the updated version program exists in the remote maintenance device, Requesting the remote maintenance device to distribute the updated program, and distributing the updated program to a processing device that has requested distribution when the remote maintenance device receives the updated program distribution request. And a remote maintenance method for a mobile unit mounting device.   The distribution program storage area for storing the updated version program distributed from the remote maintenance apparatus, and the operation program storage area for storing the currently operating operation program. A remote maintenance method for a mobile unit mounting apparatus, comprising: a step of rewriting a storage program in the operation program storage area to the updated version program in the distribution program storage area.   A remote maintenance system for a mobile unit mounting apparatus comprising a processing unit mounted on a mobile unit and having a program storage unit, and a remote maintenance unit connected to the processing unit through wireless communication means and transmitting the updated program to the processing unit And a means for requesting the remote maintenance device to distribute the updated program to the remote maintenance device, disposed in the remote maintenance device, and receiving the update program distribution request to the processing device. A remote maintenance system for a mobile unit mounting apparatus, comprising: means for distributing the updated program.   A remote maintenance system for a mobile unit mounting apparatus comprising a processing unit mounted on a mobile unit and having a program storage unit, and a remote maintenance unit connected to the processing unit through wireless communication means and transmitting the updated program to the processing unit And means for connecting to the remote maintenance device and confirming whether or not an updated version program of the currently held program exists in the remote maintenance device, and the updated version program is connected to the remote maintenance device Means for requesting distribution of the updated program to the remote maintenance device when it is confirmed to exist in the maintenance device; and disposed in the remote maintenance device and receiving the distribution request for the updated program Means for delivering the updated program to a processing apparatus. Remote maintenance system of the device.   6. The distribution program storage area that is installed in the processing apparatus and stores the updated program distributed from the remote maintenance apparatus, an operation program storage area that stores an operation program that is currently operating, and the operation A remote maintenance system for a mobile unit mounting apparatus, comprising: means for rewriting a storage program in a program storage area with the updated program in the distribution program storage area.   The remote maintenance system for a mobile unit mounting apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an update version program storage area that is mounted on the processing apparatus and that copies and stores the update version program in the distribution program storage area.   8. The replacement means according to claim 7, which is installed in a processing apparatus and replaces the operation program stored in the operation program storage area and the update program stored in the update program storage area, and the operation once replaced. A remote maintenance system for a mobile unit mounting apparatus, comprising: a replacement unit that replaces both programs stored in the program storage region and the updated version program storage region again.   The means for copying the updated version program stored in the distribution program storage area to the updated version program storage area when reception of the updated version program from the remote maintenance device is completed according to claim 7 or 8, When the reception of the updated program from the remote maintenance device is completed incompletely, it is provided with means for storing the program stored in the operation program storage area and the updated program storage area as they are Remote maintenance system for mobile equipment.   In a mobile unit mounting apparatus of a remote maintenance system having a processing unit mounted on a mobile unit and having a processing unit connected to an external remote maintenance unit through wireless communication means and receiving the updated program, the remote maintenance Means for confirming whether an updated version program of a program currently held by connecting to the apparatus exists in the remote maintenance device; and when confirming that the updated version program exists in the remote maintenance device, Means for requesting the remote maintenance device to distribute the updated version program, a distribution program storage area for storing the updated version program distributed from the remote maintenance device, and an operation program for storing the currently operating operation program The storage area and the storage program of the operation program storage area Mobile mounting device remote maintenance system is characterized in that a means for rewriting the update program in the program storage area.

Images